RE: PUBLIC LAND IN IOWA
Call the DNR office in the area you intend to hunt. They can put you in contact with the areas bioligist or warden. A couple friends did that last year and they were onto some great public land hunting. The bioligist recomended a property that had just become public. One of the guys hunted there and NEVER saw another hunter, he ended up shooting a 130's class buck. The other guy hunted a marsh and saw just 2 hunters in a week and many huge bucks. He shot a big 10 point but never found it.
The last couple times I hunted out that way, I just knocked on doors and got permission. I am not sure what you meant by "regular" season? if you mean gun season, you are probably going to have to deal with alot of pressure.I just bow hunt out there.